A car bomb in southern Moscow on Monday claimed the life of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, a high-ranking official in Russia’s military leadership. The explosion took place in a residential parking lot, according to Russian media reports. Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, was critically injured and later succumbed to his wounds, authorities said.
Investigation Launched
The Investigative Committee immediately opened a criminal case following Sarvarov’s death, with officials saying the motive is still unclear. While the details of how the device was deployed remain undisclosed, the authorities confirmed that the incident is being treated as a targeted attack. Investigators are working to piece together the timeline and circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Exploring Ukrainian Links
Russian authorities are considering multiple possibilities, including involvement by Ukrainian intelligence. “Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” said committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko. She added that forensic and explosive analyses are underway, witnesses are being interviewed, and surveillance footage from the area is under review.
No Comment From Kyiv
So far, Ukrainian officials have not responded to the allegations. Russian authorities have also refrained from identifying suspects or releasing evidence publicly.
Part of a Pattern of Attacks
Sarvarov’s death is the latest in a series of high-profile attacks on Russian military figures in Moscow since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov died after a scooter rigged with explosives detonated, and in April, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a car bomb attack. Ukraine has not formally claimed responsibility for either incident.
